Kowalko: Governor’s secrecy hurts public trust

This governor’s unwillingness to engage and inform the public in matters of significant importance to their quality of life, such as the decision to remove the Rodney Square bus hub, is a violation of the public trust.

Implying that some conveniently created policy of “executive privilege” exists is inexcusably wrong. Without full transparency and openness in the government’s decision-making processes, we as legislators cannot and should not expect to have the public’s confidence and trust in the policies we create and the decisions we make.

Delaware’s government has consistently and repeatedly resisted efforts to ensure that the public is totally informed of decisions and policies being made. Despite FOIA laws, the executive branch and other agencies have repeatedly resisted and impeded public access to records and private meetings that have taken place leading to some of those decisions that are not in the best interests of the public taxpayer.

This abuse must stop immediately and the trust and confidence of the public should be restored if we are to expect that same public’s support for our policy decisions.